Spain has permanently recalled its ambassador to Israel, escalating diplomatic tensions amid ongoing U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran.
Spain announced on Tuesday that it is permanently recalling its ambassador to Israel, a move that underscores its opposition to the recent U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran. This decision marks a significant escalation in the already strained diplomatic relations between Spain and Israel.
The Spanish government formalized the termination of the ambassador’s post in its official gazette, stating that the embassy in Tel Aviv will now be managed by a chargé d’affaires indefinitely. This action follows a previous recall of the ambassador last September, which occurred after Israel condemned Spain’s decision to block aircraft and ships carrying weapons to Israel from utilizing Spanish ports or airspace. At that time, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar labeled Spain’s actions as antisemitic.
In response to a reporter’s inquiry on Wednesday regarding Spain’s cooperation with the United States, President Donald Trump stated, “No, they’re not. I think they’re not cooperating at all.” He expressed his discontent with Spain’s stance, saying, “Spain, I think they’ve been very bad. Very bad. Not good at all. We may cut off trade with Spain.” Trump further criticized Spain’s contributions to NATO, asserting that the country has not been paying its fair share while benefiting from the alliance’s protections.
Trump acknowledged the Spanish populace as “fantastic,” but he expressed disappointment with the country’s leadership, stating, “not so good.”
Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, also weighed in on Spain’s decision to recall its ambassador, describing it as “hard for me to absorb.” He emphasized that Spain is a NATO member and highlighted the importance of U.S.-Israeli cooperation in military operations against the Iranian regime, which he characterized as openly hostile towards Israel and the West. Graham referred to the Iranian government as a “religious Nazi regime” and expressed concern that Spain’s actions might embolden Iran’s oppressive regime.
The diplomatic rift between Spain and Israel has deepened significantly since Israel initiated its military campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, 2023. This escalation has further strained relations, particularly after Israel downgraded its diplomatic presence in Spain last May, following Spain’s recognition of a Palestinian state. As a result, Israel placed its embassy in Madrid under the management of a chargé d’affaires.
According to Fox News, the ongoing tensions reflect a broader geopolitical struggle, with Spain’s actions signaling a shift in its foreign policy stance amid rising conflicts in the region.